Justin Rose could become the world number one if he wins the 2014 Open Championship

Hampshire's Justin Rose has the added incentive of being able to become world number one by winning his second major title in the Open Championship at Hoylake.

Rose, who moved from sixth to third with his victory in the Scottish Open on Sunday, will replace Adam Scott at the top of the rankings if he lifts the Claret Jug on Sunday and Scott finishes outside the top six.

World number two Henrik Stenson and Masters champion Bubba Watson can also claim top spot with a victory, Stenson needing Scott to finish outside the top three and Watson requiring the Australian to be outside the top 15.

Stenson could also become number one if Rose and Watson fail to win and he finishes second alone while Scott is outside the top 17, or if he finishes tied second with one other player and Scott misses the cut.

Rose said: "I've always said for me, I've always focused more on winning major championships than chasing number one.

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"I think that's just a really nice by-product of your process and improving as a golfer. So if it happens, it happens.

"Right now I'm focused on this week and the fact that that gives me the opportunity, then brilliant, but it's not really front and center right now."

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